The
Solar Powered Theremin (Heliophone). June 2008
This
is an electronics kit suitable for beginners but it DOES require some
soldering.
With very few parts you can build a tiny solar powered theremin
enclosed in an ALTOIDS
mint tin. So when the oil runs out, the ice caps melt and civilization
crumbles
to dust, thanks to the Heliophone, we will still have electronic music
:-)
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More Kits and Downloads
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Order yourself a Solar Powered Theremin
Kit here..
The
kit contains all the parts required to make the solar powered theremin
including
a solar panel, a custom made PCB and full colour instructions.
NOTE: You can opt to buy the kit with or without
a Mint Tin. You will save money if you buy your own mints.
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Solar Powered Theremin Kit
Mint tin not included
(if you need a tin see below)
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The HELEOPHONE
A completely solar
powered
electronic musical instrument.
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Altoids Tins are fantastic for
housing small electronics projects.
US customers should be able to pick
them up locally saving yourself a $ or two.
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A tin of Altoids peppermints.
Refreshing
and ideal for housing
tiny electronics projects.
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UK
customers who don't want to use paypal, please email me for other options.
If
you'd like a pre-assembled Solar Powered Theremin I do have a limited
number
available.
Email me for
more information.
The Solar Powered Theremin in action. Can you tell which songs I am
mangling?
How the solar powered theremin operates:
The device functions best on bright sunny cloudless days. By simply
flipping open the lid and letting
the light hit the solar panel the theremin will generate a high musical
note. In order to play a tune
you can either cast a shadow over the panel with your hand (this allows
you to play with an action
very similar to the original theremin) or you can tilt and angle the
theremin in relation to the sun to
vary the note. With practice you can pick out notes very precisely and
in optimal weather the device
will generate tones over several octaves so it is possible to play real
music on the thing unlike some
low cost conventional theremin kits which can generate little more than
squeaks and squawks.
So what happens if it's a bit cloudy? Well that's when things get
interesting. In patchy cloud with
varying light conditions the theremin tuning will drift wildly. This
does make playing a tune a bit
of a challenge but it is a lot of fun and it can also be quite
intriguing to just lay the device out in
the sun and listen to the music the clouds make as they drift over the
sun.
What
about those bright white days? When the sky is completely covered
in thin white cloud but
it's still very light? The Solar Theremin works quite well on these
days too but sometimes it's
difficult to reach the high notes That's what the octave shift switch
is for.
It increases the instruments sensitivity to light.
What about dull dreech days? You should buy a kazoo.
Tools you need to make the kit:
Scissors
Craft Knife
Small screwdriver
Wire Snips
Pliers or tweezers.
Soldering Iron and Solder
Sticky Tape or Duct Tape or Glue
A simple mod allows you to connect the theremin to effects units and an
amp.
Does the Heliophone have to be mounted in a mint tin?
No.
Just what are the limits of solar powered music?
It
would appear that the sky is the limit!
Yes, solar punch is a
completely solar powered band!
Above
is the complete labeled schematic of the Heliophone.
If you don't want to buy my kit (you must be mad) all the information
you need to construct the
heliophone is here. If you're familiar with the BEAM scene you will
realise this is simply
a new application for the 1381 based solar engine. sneaky eh?
All I ask is that you don't use it commercially and link me if you put
the circuit online.
Thanks to the folks on the at the BEAM yahoo group for the help.
Any thought on how the circuit could be improved or how a simple
optical volume control
could be added will be gratefully received..
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